Multi-layered comfort strip

ABSTRACT

A multi-layered comfort strip secured to a razor body includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is mated to the second layer and the second layer is secured to the razor body. The first material composition of the first layer differs from the second material composition of the second layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATINS

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporatesby reference essential subject matter disclosed in Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/433,398 filed on Dec. 13, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates in general to a multi-layered comfortstrip, and deals more particularly with a multi-layered comfort striptypically disposed adjacent to blade elements of a razor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Over the years, many improvements have been made to razors inorder to make such razors more comfortable to use and more efficient attheir intended task. Towards this end, many hand held razors now employa comfort strip oriented adjacent the blade elements of the razor. Thesecomfort strips are usually located near the blade elements of a razorapproximately parallel to the cutting edges defined thereby so that thecomfort strip and the blade elements move together across a hirsutesurface during a shaving operation. In effect, the comfort strip acts tolubricate or moisturize the affected body part in an effort toameliorate any irritation, which may be caused by the passage of theblade elements themselves. It is therefore not uncommon for comfortstrips to be comprised of oils, creams, soaps or other shaving aids.

[0004] Given their purpose, it is imperative that a comfort strip besecurely attached to the razor body or, in the case of a disposablerazor cartridge, to the cartridge, in order to provide its intendedbenefit over the useable life of the razor. In many cases, the comfortstrip is securely attached to either a metallic or plastic portion ofthe razor, either through adhesion or by way of a mechanical device.

[0005] Difficulties exist, however, with securing the comfort strip tothe plastic or metallic surfaces of the razor due to the inherentdifferences between the thermal expansion of the comfort strip and therazor surface. The specific characteristics of the comfort strip itself,specifically the soap formulations which include the use of oils andcreams to promote lubricity, further complicates the bonding process. Itis also oftentimes difficult for the user of a razor to accuratelydetermine when the lubricating components of the mounted comfort striphave been depleted.

[0006] There therefore exists a need in the art for a comfort stripwhich not only accomplishes the objective of soothing the shavedportions of skin, but also one which may be more securely fixed to thebody of a razor. Moreover, there exists a need in the art for amechanism by which a user may determine if the comfort strip has beendepleted prior to its use.

[0007] With the forgoing problems and concerns in mind, it is thegeneral object of the present invention to provide a comfort strip forrazors which overcomes or improves upon the above-described drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is directed in one aspect to amulti-layered comfort strip that is secured to a razor body. The comfortstrip includes a first layer of material that is defined at least inpart by a shaving aid. A second layer of material is also defined atleast in part by a shaving aid and is mated to the first layer with thesecond layer being secured to the razor body. The first layer ofmaterial defines a first coefficient of thermal expansion that isdifferent from a second coefficient of thermal expansion as defined bythe second layer of material, the second coefficient of thermalexpansion being closer to the coefficient of thermal expansion definedby the razor body, than is the first coefficient of thermal expansion.

[0009] The fact that the second coefficient of thermal expansion moreclosely matches the coefficient of thermal expansion defined by therazor body than does the first coefficient of thermal expansion providesfor a better bond between the second layer of material and the razorbody than would be possible if the comfort strip were composed entirelyof the first layer of material.

[0010] Preferably, the first layer of material incorporates more shavingaid into its composition than does the second layer of material. Inaddition, it is also preferable that the first and second layers becoextruded. This allows for ease of manufacture, reduced, if any,handling of individual layers of material, and is more economical than amanual process.

[0011] In order to alert a user to the fact that the first layer ofmaterial is depleted, one embodiment of the present invention employs adiffering color for each layer of material.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention amulti-layered comfort strip secured to a razor body includes a firstlayer and a second layer. The first layer is mated to the second layerand the second layer is secured to the razor body. The first materialcomposition of the first layer differs from the second materialcomposition of the second layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front view of a razor including a comfort strip,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a partial, enlarged, cross-sectional view of the comfortstrip and razor head portion of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an adhesive layer for securelyfixing the comfort strip to the razor head portion, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a structural mechanism forsecurely fixing the comfort strip to the razor head portion, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a structural mechanism forsecurely fixing the comfort strip to the razor head portion, accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a structural mechanism forsecurely fixing the comfort strip to the razor head portion, accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the comfort strip illustratedin FIG. 1 which has been worn through use.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a front view of a razor including multiple comfortstrips, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 a razor 10 includes a shaft, or handle 12, acomfort strip 14, and blade elements 16 mounted in a head, or cartridge,portion 18 of the razor 10. The comfort strip 14 is disposed adjacent tothe blade elements 16 and is also mounted on the head portion 18.

[0022] While a razor 10 has been shown to include a pair of bladeelements 16, the present invention is not limited in this regard as arazor having more or less than two blade elements is equallycontemplated by the present invention. In addition, the presentinvention is not limited as to the specific type or structural form ofrazor shown in FIG. 1, the comfort strip of the present invention beingequally adaptable to a single use razor, a razor having a replaceablecartridge, or the like, without departing from the broader aspects ofthe present invention.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the comfort strip 14 includes a first layerof material 20 and a second base layer of material 22 fixed to the firstlayer 20 in a laminated fashion. The first layer 20 shown in FIG. 2 iscomprised at least in part of one or more shaving aids. Among otherthings, the shaving aids ameliorates any irritation which may be causedby the passage of the blade elements 16 during a shaving operation. Anynumber of known lubricating and/or moisturizing elements may be utilizedin the formation of the first layer 20, including oils, creams, soap andsoap-like formulations.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the base layer 22 is also comprised of ashaving aid but further preferably includes those materials which areoptimized to assist in the fixing of the comfort strip 14 to the headportion 18 of the razor 10. In particular, the base layer 22 includescertain ingredients or fillers which cause the base layer 22 to moreclosely match, as compared to the first layer 20, the thermal expansionproperties of the razor 10 itself. That is, as compared to the firstlayer 20, the material composition of the base layer 22 is formed sothat the thermal expansion coefficient of the base layer 22 more closelymatches the thermal expansion coefficient of the head portion 18 of therazor 10. Preferably, the fillers which are added to the base layer 22more closely match the thermal expansion coefficient of the head portion18 of the razor 10, as compared to the first layer 20.

[0025] The nature and percentage of composition of the ingredients ofthe base layer 22 may therefore be adjusted in dependence upon thematerial from which the head portion 18 of the razor 10 is constructed,such as a plastic or polymer material or a metallic material. Moreover,the base layer 22 may contain less of any lubricious agents present inthe first layer 20, as discussed above, in order to increase therigidity or stiffness of the base layer 22. In this manner, the baselayer 22 may be more easily secured to the razor 10 utilizing eitheradhesion techniques and materials, or through mechanical means, as willbe discussed in more detail later.

[0026] It is therefore an important aspect of the present invention thatthe comfort strip 14 is comprised of at least two layers, the firstlayer 20 and the base layer 22, whereby the first layer 20 and the baselayer 22 have differing material compositions from one another.Moreover, it is another important aspect of the present invention thatthe thermal expansion coefficient of the base layer 22 more closelymatches the thermal expansion coefficient of the head portion 18 of therazor 10 than does the thermal expansion coefficient of the first layer20, in order to promote a secure attachment to the head portion 18 ofthe razor 10. The present invention also envisions that the first layer20 and the base layer 22 may be formed separately and mated to oneanother through the use of heat or the like, or may alternatively beco-extruded as a unitary element.

[0027] Although FIG. 2 illustrates the first layer 20 and the base layer22 being mounted on the surface of the head portion 18, the presentinvention is not limited in this regard as alternative mounting regimensare also contemplated by the present invention, such as by embedding thebase layer 22 in the head portion 18, as will be more completelydescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 4-6. The base layer 22 of thecomfort strip 14 may also be directly bonded to the head portion 18 viathe application of heat or extruded onto the head portion 18 and thenallowed to cure.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the comfort strip 14 is fixed to the headportion 18 via an adhesive layer 30. In practice, the reduced lubricityand increased rigidity of the base layer 22 results in a greater andmore stable bond between the head portion 18 and the base layer 22,while the first layer 20 confers the benefits of shaving aids to theskin of a user of the razor 10.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 4-6, various mechanical or structuralmechanisms are shown for securely fixing the comfort strip 14 to thehead portion 18 of the razor 10. As shown in FIG. 4, a simple channel 32having substantially perpendicular opposing side walls 33 may be formedin the head portion 18 for securing the comfort strip 14 therein. Byforming the simple channel 32 to be slightly smaller in width than thebase layer 22, the increased rigidity of the base layer 22 will producean effective friction fit between these elements, thereby securing thecomfort strip 14 to the head portion 18. The first layer 20 may extend,either partially or completely, above the surface of the head portion 18in order to contact a person's skin during a shaving operation.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the above-described channel can haveinclined, generally opposed side walls 35, thereby forming an angledchannel 34. The angled channel 34 will prohibit the comfort strip 14from becoming disengaged from the angled channel 34 during use. Thecomfort strip 14 of FIG. 5 is formed such that the base layer 22 issomewhat wider than the first layer 20 to prevent disengagement with theangled channel 34. Moreover, the base layer 22 may have either squaredsides or, alternatively, angled sides 36 (shown in phantom) to match thecontours of the angled channel 34.

[0031]FIG. 6 illustrates yet another structural securing mechanismwhereby the head portion 18 defines a raised channel 38 in which thecomfort strip 14 may be disposed. Similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the comfort strip 14 is formed such that the base layer 22 issomewhat wider than the first layer 20 to prevent disengagement with theraised channel 38 during a shaving operation.

[0032] The present invention contemplates combining one or more featuresfrom each of the securing mechanisms of FIGS. 3-6 without departing fromthe broader aspects thereof. For example, any of the securing mechanismmay also include the addition an adhesive or epoxy layer/agent to bettersecure the comfort strip 14 in the channel. Moreover, the raised channel38 shown in FIG. 6 may also include angled sidewalls, as previouslydepicted in conjunction with FIG. 5.

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 7, the comfort strip 14 also provides apassive signaling mechanism for alerting the user of the razor 10 to adepletion of the first layer 20. That is, by imbuing the first layer 20and the base layer 22 with contrasting colors, a user may be readilyapprised when portions of the first layer 20 have become substantiallyeroded. As shown in FIG. 7, eroded areas 40 of the first layer 20 willpermit the coloration of the base layer 22 to become visible to theuser, thus indicating that a replacement razor, or a replacement headportion 18 or cartridge, is required.

[0034] While the present invention has been described in conjunctionwith a razor 10 which includes a comfort strip 14 mounted adjacent tothe blade elements 16 during use, the present invention is not limitedin this regard. As shown in FIG. 8, the comfort strip 14 is mountedforward of the blade elements 16 in order to contact the skin of a userprior to the blade elements 16 acting on any hair protruding therefrom.Alternatively, the razor 10 may further include both forward and rearcomfort strips 14 and 14′, without departing from the broader aspects ofthe present invention.

[0035] As depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8, the presentinvention proposes a multi-layered comfort strip which utilizes thematerial properties of the base layer to provide for the effectivebonding of the comfort strip to the razor body. That is, the presentinvention proposes to provide a different material composition of thebase layer of the comfort strip, as compared to the material compositionof the first layer, in order to optimize the base layer's thermalexpansion properties to more closely align with the thermal expansionproperties of the razor body. Preferably, the base layer is more rigidwhich, in turn, aids in any mechanical or structural fastening of thebase layer to the razor body. Moreover, by imbuing each of the comfortstrip's layers with contrasting coloration, the present inventionadvantageously permits a user to determine when the first layer of thecomfort strip has been substantially depleted via a visual indication.

[0036] While the invention had been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essentialscope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, butthat the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-layered comfort strip secured to a razorbody, said multi-layered comfort strip comprising: a first layer havinga first material composition, said first material composition having afirst thermal expansion coefficient; a second layer mated to said firstlayer, said second layer having a second material composition and beingsecured to said razor body, said second material composition having asecond thermal expansion coefficient; and said second thermal expansioncoefficient more closely matches a thermal expansion coefficient of saidrazor body than does said first thermal expansion coefficient.
 2. Themulti-layered comfort strip according to claim 1, wherein: said firstmaterial composition includes a first concentration of a shaving aid;said second material composition includes a second concentration of saidshaving aid which is less than said first concentration of said shavingaid.
 3. The multi-layered comfort strip according to claim 2, wherein:said shaving aid includes one of a cream, an oil and a soap.
 4. Themulti-layered comfort strip according to claim 1, wherein: said secondlayer is more rigid than said first layer.
 5. The multi-layered comfortstrip according to claim 1, wherein: said multi-layered comfort strip issecured to a head portion of said razor body, said head portionsupporting a blade of said razor; and said multi-layered comfort stripis secured adjacent to said blade.
 6. The multi-layered comfort stripaccording to claim 1, wherein: said multi-layered comfort strip issecured to a cartridge of said razor body, said cartridge supporting ablade of said razor; and said multi-layered comfort strip is securedadjacent to said blade.
 7. The multi-layered comfort strip according toclaim 5, wherein: said multi-layered comfort strip is secured to saidhead portion by an adhesive.
 8. The multi-layered comfort stripaccording to claim 5, wherein: said multi-layered comfort strip issecured a channel formed in said head portion.
 9. The multi-layeredcomfort strip according to claim 8, wherein: said channel includessubstantially perpendicular opposing side walls.
 10. The multi-layeredcomfort strip according to claim 8, wherein: said channel includesangled opposing side walls.
 11. The multi-layered comfort stripaccording to claim 5, wherein: said multi-layered comfort strip issecured in a raised channel formed in said head portion.
 12. Themulti-layered comfort strip according to claim 8, wherein: said secondlayer is substantially disposed within said channel; and said firstlayer is substantially disposed outside of said channel.
 13. Themulti-layered comfort strip according to claim 1, wherein: said firstlayer and said second layer are coextruded.
 14. The multi-layeredcomfort strip according to claim 1, wherein: said first layer and saidsecond layer have contrasting colorations.
 15. A method for providing acomfort strip to a razor, said method comprising the steps of: forming afirst layer of material having a first thermal expansion coefficient;forming a second layer of material that incorporates a filler, saidsecond layer having a second thermal expansion coefficient; wherein saidsecond thermal expansion coefficient more closely matches a thermalexpansion coefficient of said razor than does said first thermalexpansion coefficient; mating said base layer to said lubricating layer;and securing said base layer to a portion of said razor.
 16. The methodfor providing a comfort strip to a razor according to claim 15, saidmethod further comprising the steps of: including a first predeterminedamount of shaving aids in said first layer of material; including asecond predetermined amount of said shaving aids in said second layer;and ensuring that said second predetermined amount of said shaving aidsis less than said first predetermined amount of said shaving aids. 17.The method for providing a comfort strip to a razor according to claim16, said method further comprising the steps of: utilizing an adhesiveto secure said second layer to said razor.
 18. The method for providinga comfort strip to a razor according to claim 17, said method furthercomprising the steps of: inserting said second layer into a channelformed in said razor.
 19. The method for providing a comfort strip to arazor according to claim 15, said method further comprising the stepsof: forming said first layer and said second layer to have contrastingcolorations.
 20. The method for providing a comfort strip to a razoraccording to claim 15, said method further comprising the steps of:ensuring that a predetermined thermal expansion coefficient of saidfiller more closely matches said thermal expansion coefficient of saidrazor than does said first thermal expansion coefficient.
 21. Amulti-layered comfort strip secured to a razor body, said multi-layeredcomfort strip comprising: a first layer; a second layer mated to saidfirst layer, said second layer being secured to said razor body; andwherein a first material composition of said first layer differs from asecond material composition of said second layer.